The big tent at the Sorting Gap Marina will be a rockin’ next Wednesday (July 24) when “Quest for the Best” will be held in conjunction with the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship for the third time.
And the 18-act lineup has just been released.
“There’s quite a variety of people and quite a variety of songs,” noted organizer Dawn Booth of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce. “It’s going to appeal to all age groups.”
This year’s contestants, and the songs they’ll be performing, include:
•Marie and Leona Grandbois—“Honey, I’m Home” (Shania Twain);
•Courtney Jourdain—“Purple Rain” (LeAnn Rimes’ version);
•Kristina Bombay—“You Win My Love” (Shania Twain);
•Christina Sletmoen—“Last Dance” (Donna Summers);
•Charles Fisher—“New Orleans is Sinking” (Tragically Hip);
•Jason Godin—“How You Remind Me” (Nickelback);
•R.J Noga and Levi Sisco—“Sympathy for the Devil” (Rolling Stones);
•Alyson Booth—“Respect” (Aretha Franklin);
•Jamie Lockman—“Hit Me Baby One More Time” (Britney Spears);
•Marc Desforge—“Youth Gone Wild” (Skid Row);
•Tarra Malyk—“Daddy’s Hands” (Holly Dunn);
•Partick Kowalchuk—“Say It Ain’t So” (Weezer);
•Jeremy Wilson and Gary Pattison—“Tripping Billies” (Dave Matthews and Dave Reynolds);
•Katie Steele—“All I Wanna Do” (Sheryl Crow);
•Ashley Sisco–Lila McCann’s “I Wanna Fall in Love”;
•R.J. Comeau—“Lady” (Kenny Rogers);
•Kim Badiuk—“These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” (Billy Ray Cyrus version);
•Sarah Hebert—“I’m Every Woman” (Whitney Houston);
•Don Hyatt—“You Give Love a Bad Name” (Bon Jovi); and
•Branda Avis—“What’s Gong On” (4 Non Blondes).
With a steady flow of tickets being bought up since July 2, Booth is expecting “Quest” to draw another sold-out crowd for the 7 p.m. show.
Admission tickets are available for $12 in advance (at the Chamber office on Scott Street) or $15 at the door (if there’s any left).
“It’s pretty much a given that it’s going to be sold-out,” Booth remarked, adding 1,300 tickets have been printed up.
Booth noted holding the popular singing contest, which previously had been held in conjunction with events like the Little Amik Winter Carnival, as part of the bass tourney has proved to be a perfect match.
“Working with the bass committee is great. When there’s a community-wide event like this, it’s always good for groups to work together,” she reasoned.
“And there’s really no other venue that can hold that many people for an event this popular,” Booth added.
“Quest” is co-sponsored by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, the FFCBC, and B-93 (CFOB).
The 18 acts are vying for the $500 first prize. Last year’s winner was Lindsay Hamilton, with Jon Bone second ($300) and former winner Alyson Booth third ($200).
There also are cash prizes ($100 each) for several other categories, such as people’s choice and most original.